andMr. McQuillan asked the Taoiseach whether in view of the growing confusion and complication of the political situation in the Congo he will consider appointing a personal representative in the Congo.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Congo Situation—Appointment of Representative.
1.
The answer to the Deputies' question is in the negative. In this connection I would recall what I said in the course of my statements in the Dáil on 20th July in the debate on the Defence (Amendment) Bill, 1960. I there pointed out that the Irish contingent in the Congo would be subject to the orders of the United Nations Supreme Commander and not to the orders of the Irish Government and that, while it could be said that we were not sufficiently informed about the situation in the Congo to make a proper appreciation of it, we should not, in my opinion, regard ourselves as being under any obligation to make that appreciation. I still think that the attitude there defined is correct, despite the very confused and complicated political situation which still prevails in the Congo. In my view, therefore, it would be a mistake to act in the manner suggested by the Deputies.
Is it not a fact that the position is changing rapidly and, in fact, deteriorating rapidly? We now have arrived at a situation where our troops are defending a point of view with their lives in the Congo, with which policy——
The Deputy is making a statement, not asking a question.
——our United Nations delegation is not in agreement? Is it not a fact that our United Nations delegation last night voted against the majority in the decision of the Assembly?
That is a wrong conclusion to draw from what happened last night in the United Nations Assembly.
Do I take it that the Taoiseach is washing his hands of a responsibility for Irish troops in the Congo?
Question No. 2.
In view of the danger there may be in bolstering up a country like Katanga, surely the Government has a responsibility——
The Deputy is not asking a question; he is making a statement.
The two Deputies concerned should try to co-ordinate their points of view.
Question No. 2.
May I ask a Supplementary Question?
The Deputy is not asking a Supplementary Question; he is advancing an argument.
I see that I am not allowed by the Chair to ask any Supplementary Questions.
I am calling Question No. 2.